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DISA Paving the way for Mentor-Protégé Program

A mentor-protege program is in the works at the Defense Information Systems Agency.
Director of Small Business Programs Sharon Jones hopes it will be ready for
businesses to participate by fiscal year 2015.

At the recent Forecast to Industry event, Jones encouraged small businesses to
partner with large businesses. She recommends joint ventures and teaming as an
avenue for smaller companies who are interested in working with DISA. She also
called upon large businesses to make a good faith effort to meet their
subcontracting goals.

With an increasing number of contracts being set aside for small businesses, DISA is
meeting and exceeding its Small Business goals. They hold a number of outreach
events including the Monthly Small Business Orientation Forum to educate small
businesses on topics like the National Defense Authorization Bill of 2013. They also
hold the Leadership in Action Speaker Series quarterly.

"Doing your homework" is how you land contracts. Jones says attending the events
goes a long way, but companies should do their own research. It's vital that
businesses know what capabilities DISA is looking for and all the requirements that
go along with it.

It's important that businesses don't make promises they can't keep. Jones says, "you
do not have to have a footprint at DISA to work here… but you have to deliver."